Good News For Customers Left Hanging By Westbury Dry Cleaner’s Eviction

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) — Customers at a popular Westbury, Long Island dry cleaner were left hanging on Thursday, after the owner was suddenly evicted.

Prom dresses and even a woman’s bridal gown were gone without warning.

“I’m very upset because it’s a week and a half before prom and I don’t have a dress,” Karyl Taylor told CBS 2’s Don Champion.

The owner of Lewis Cleaners was evicted, shortly after Taylor dropped off her dress for hemming.

Michelle Spindell stopped in to drop off clothing for a Friday wedding and noticed that something was amiss.

“I said to him when I went in there, it’s very empty in here, and he says ‘oh everything is fine.’ I said okay,” she explained.

Everything was not okay.

Owner Moo Wong Lee was served eviction papers in February, according to court papers. Lee had been doing business in that location for almost 20 years, but had recently fallen $40,000 in debt.

“He’d pay a little, fall back behind, pay some more, fall back behind some more,” said property owner Richard Salant.

The store has been gutted and the clothing was removed and placed in storage. The storage company told CBS 2 that the clothing will be available for delivery on Friday morning at 8:30, free of charge. The Nassau County Office of Consumer Affairs told CBS 2 that clothing can also be picked up. Customers should call 516-571-3862.